the secret of white painted floors

We’ve always loved the white painted floors that are especially prominent on Scandinavian design blogs and magazines, like these from the home of Danish stylist Sidsel Zachariassen. We wondered what the secret is to making them both pristine and durable. We found the answer in a Dwell slideshow about the smart, frugal renovation of a small two-bedroom apartment by two very clever Finnish designers who weren’t afraid to d-i-themselves.

“It took Susanna several layers of sanding—and then finally tossing her water-based paint and selecting the proper oil-based formula—to get the floor as white as she’d envisioned. But she couldn’t be happier with the result. ‘The apartment looks bigger when there are white surfaces for the light to bounce on,’ she says.”

Patient sanding between coats + the right paint are the keys. Add this information to this great how-to from Real Simple, and advice we clipped years ago from the now defunct Cottage Living, and you can paint your own woods floors white, or any color you like.

Petra Bindel/Dwell

“Painted floors are a favorite for many reasons: They’re easy to maintain, they cover up a multitude of flaws, and they add a light and cheerful quality to any room.

Whether you’ve just uncovered hardwood floors or enjoyed them for years, a new coat of paint can instantly freshen the room. You’ll probably have to sand hardwood floors first so the paint will adhere well. Experts offer different opinions on what type of paint works best: Options include exterior or porch paint, as well as interior wall paint. (We recommend the former. If you choose interior wall paint, you’ll have to seal it with polyurethane.)

But don’t worry too much about durability—painted floors tend to improve with age. Foot traffic inevitably scuffs and wears down the paint, giving the floors a soft patina. Some people have even used sandpaper to hurry along that weathered look.” — Cottage Living

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